Trousers display device



Nov. 2, 1965 J. v. GALLOWAY TROUSERS DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1963 INVENTOR. MS YGALLOWAY A7TOPUEYS 1965 J. v. GALLOWAY TROUSERS DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1963 INVENTOR. MS V Gill/0W A77'0QNE vs United States Patent 3,215,268 TROUSERS DISPLAY DEVICE James V. Galloway, 207 E. 55th Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. Filed July 10, 1963, Ser. No. 294,121 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-82) This invention relates to display devices, and more particularly to a device for displaying trousers, slacks and the like, as for example in stores and windows thereof.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a trousers display device of panel-like configuration for receiving trousers secured thereto and preferably for showing a side of the trousers; to provide such a display panel principally formed of material for repeat penetrations by pins and the like in securing trousers thereto; to provide such a display panel member having substantially parallel end edges with tapered sides with the end having the Widest width being adapted to receive the waistband portion of trousers; to provide such a display device wherein the taper substantially corresponds to the taper of the side edges of trousers with the panel slightly less in width so that the side edges of the trousers will overhang the side edges of the panel; to provide such a display device wherein the panel portion is formed of two longitudinally movable sections in guided substantially coplanar relation with resilient means urging the sections apart and stop members limiting the separating movement of the sections; to provide such a structure wherein the stop members are a flexible member connected relative to the panel sections; to provide a trouser display wherein the waistband of trousers is secured to the large width end of one panel section and extends longitudinally in overlying relation to the sections and is turned under and secured to the other end while the resilient member is compressed whereby upon release the resilient member will urge the sections apart applying tension to the trouser portions overlying the sections to hold same in smooth, straight, wrikle-free condition; and to provide a trousers display device that is economical to manufacture, easily used to provide a neat appearing display that can be moved from one place to another without disarrangement of the trousers on the display.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

. FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a display window with trousers arranged on display devices embodying the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display device.

I FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the display device with trousers positioned thereon.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the display device takenon the'line 4-4, FIG. 3, with trousers positioned thereon.

1 FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail section through adjacent portions of the panel section illustrating the arrangement of the guide, resilent members and stops.

I Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a display device in the form of a panel-like member adapted to receive and display trousers 2 in fiat condition with a side 3 of the trousers exposed to view. The front and rear creases 4 of the respective trouser legs 5 are positioned together or in aligned relation with the waistband portion 6 of the trousers 2 at one end 7 of the panel-like member 1 and secured thereto by suitable fastening devices 8. The trousers 2 overlie the panel-like member 1 3,215,268 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 and the legs 5 are turned under at the other end 9 and secured thereto by suitable fastening devices 10 whereby the exposed surface of the trousers is flat, smooth, and the display has sufiicient rigidity that it can be moved from place to place without disarrangement of the trouser portions. The lower or cuff portion 1 1 of the trousers may be positioned under the panel so the cuff portion 11 is not visible, or the trousers can be turned outwardly from the end 9 to expose the lower leg and the cuff portion 11, as illustrated at 12, FIG. 1.

In the structure illustrated, the panel member or display device is a flat elongate structure with tapered side edges 13 and 14 tapering from the end 7 having the widest width to the narrow or leg end 9. The taper preferably substantially corresponds to the taper of the side edges or creases 4 of trousers to be displayed thereon and the width at any portion of the panel structure 1 is preferably slightly less than the width of said trousers so the side edge portions 4 of the trousers overhang the edges 13 and 14 as at 15. It is also preferred that in applying trousers to the display, the waistband portion 6 of the trousers be arranged whereby the upper edges 16 of said trousers 2 overhang the end 7 as at 17.

In the structure illustrated, the display device includes sections 18 and 19 that are flat elongate members of suitable material adapted to have repeat penetrations of pins and the like therein. It is preferred that the panel sections each be formed of composition board and the like, smoothed to provide smooth top and bottom faces 2%) and 21 respectively and smooth edges so as not to catch any threads of a garment thereon. In order to provide further protection against snagging a garment, it is preferred that the side and end edges of the panel sections 18 and 19 be covered with a protective strip such as tape 22. It is preferred that the top or front face 20 of the panel member adjacent the waist end 7 be covered with a sheet 23 of fabric such as felt adhered to the face 20 with adhesive as at 23 or other suitable fastening to aid in covering any apertures and preventing any spliters or the like resulting from holes formed by pins in securing a garment to the panel structure. It is also preferred that the bottom or back face 21 of the panel member 19 be covered with a sheet 24 of fabric such as felt adjacent the leg end 9 to provide protection from any penetration of pins or fastening devices in securing the legs to the back part of the panel section at the leg end. The fabric 24 is also preferably adhered to the face 21 by suitable fastening devices such as adhesive as at 25.

The panel sections 18 and 19 are preferably substantially coplanar whereby the front faces 20 are aligned, said panel sections being movably supported relative to each other for longitudinal movement whereby the adjacent edges 26 are moved toward or away from each other. In the structure illustrated, the panel sections 18 and 19 have depending =lugs or blocks 27 and 28 respectively suitably secured to the panels at the edges 26 by suitable fastening such as adhesive 29 and screws 30. The blocks 27 and 28 are preferably formed of hardwood and have a plurality of aligned apertures 31 and 32 respectively for receiving guide members 33. In the structure illustrated, apertures in each block are laterally spaced. The guide members or rods 33 may be made of any suitable material such as metal, hardwood or the like, and are preferably arranged with one end portion 34 of each pressed into a respective aperture 31 to form an anchor that is reinforced by adhesive 35 to hold the guide members rigid relative to the block 27. The other end portions 36 of the guide rods 33 are slidably mounted in the respective apertures 32. Counterbores 37 and 38 extend into the adjacent faces of the blocks 27 and 28 respectively in coaxial relation with the apertures 31 and 32 to receive ends of resilient members 39 that bias the panel sections apart. In the structure illustrated, the resilient members 39 are coil springs sleeved on the guide rods 33, with the ends of the springs seated against the ends 40 of the counterbore sockets, the counterbore sockets being sufficiently shallow that the apertures or bores 31 and 32 provide adequate support for the guide rods 33.

Suitable stop members 41 are provided to limit the separation movement of the panel sections 18 and 19. In the structure illustrated, the stop consists of a flexible member such as fabric strip or the like which extends between adjacent ends of the blocks 27 and 28 and in underlying relation to the bottom faces 42 thereof and then toward the panel sections on the outer faces 43 of the blocks, the overlying portions 44 of the fabric stop 41 being secured to the bottom and outer faces of the blocks 27 and 28 by means of suitable fastening devices such as staples 45 and adhesive 46. It has been found that a suitable spacing when the panel sections are extended to the maximum and then held by the stop 41 is in the nature of of an inch, and the springs 39 are compression springs that are preloaded by the stop 41 so that said springs always urge the panel sections apart sufficiently to hold the trousers 2 positioned thereon in a straight, pulled-out condition without wrinkles.

In using a display device constructed and assembled as described, the device is laid with the faces 20 upwardly and then a pair of trousers 2 to be displayed is laid flat on said face 20 with the creases 4 together and the waist or belt portion 6 positioned at the end 7 with the edges 16 at the waist of the trousers extending beyond the edge 7 in the nature of A of an inch. Suitable fastening devices such as pins 8 are then inserted at the bottom 47 of the belt line to penetrate into the fabric 22 and into the panel section 18. Sufficient pins are used to hold the waist portion firmly on the panel with the trouser legs extending longitudinally of the panel sections with the front and rear creases overhanging the side edges 13 and 14 preferably in the nature of A of an inch. The outer portions of the blocks 27 and 28 are then grasped and force applied to compress the springs 39 to move the adjacent edges 26 of the panel sections substantially together. While the panel sections are so positioned in the contracted relation, the legs of the trousers are turned under the edge 9 and suitable fastening devices penetrated through said legs and the fabric 24 into the panel section 19 to hold the legs turned under the panel section 19. The blocks 27 and 28 are then released whereby the springs 39 expand the :panel sections or separate same and apply tension to the trouser portion overlying the faces of the panel sections, the spring tension holding the trousers smooth and unwrinkled. The remainder of the legs of the trousers may be positioned under the section 19, as illustrated in the lefthand view of FIG. 1, or the lower portion of the trousers may be turned and brought out from under the edge 9 so the cuff portions 11 are visible, as illustrated in the righthand display of FIG. 1. After the trousers are assembled on the display device, it can be moved to various positions, inclined or laid flat in arranging the display of articles with a portion of the trousers overlying the upper face of the panel sections remaining smooth and neat in appearance.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for display of trousers in flat position to present a side for view comprising, a hat elongate pan l member of material capable of repeat penetration by pins and the like, said panel member having substantially parallel ends and tapered sides whereby the width is slightly less than the width of trousers to be displayedthereon, said panel member consisting of flat substantially co,

planar sections connected for relative longitudinal move ment, said panel sections having adjacent ends, blocks on said panel sections at said adjacent ends and extending from rear faces of said panel sections, aligned guide openings in one of said blocks, guide means fixed to the other of said blocks and slidably engaging in said guide openings in the said one block to maintain the panel sections substantially coplanar, resilient means engaging said blocks to bias the panel sections apart, stop means connected to said blocks for limiting separating movement of said panel sections, said panel member being adapted to have trousers positioned thereon in overlying relation with the waist at the end of greatest width and the trouser legs extending therefrom longitudinally of the panel, means for securing the waist portions and leg portions of the trousers "adjacent respective ends of the panel member, the resilient means biasing said panel sections apart applying tension longitudinally of the trousers portions overlying said sections between the waist portion and the leg end to hold same smooth and unwrinkled.

2. A device for display of trousers in flat position to present a side for view comprising, a flat elongate panel member of material capable of repeat penetration by pins and the like, said panel member having substantially parallel ends and tapered sides whereby the width is slightly less than the width of trousers to be displayed thereon, said panel member consisting of fiat substantially coplanar sections connected for relative longitudinal movement, said panel selctions having adjacent ends, blocks on said panel sections at said adjacent ends and extending from the rear faces of said panel sections, aligned guide openings in one of said blocks, guide means fixed to the other of said blocks and slidably engaging in said guide openings to maintain the panel sections substantially coplanar, springs sleeved on said guide means and engaging said blocks to bias the panel sections apart, a flexible sheet having end portions secured to said respective blocks whereby said sheet spans the space between the blocks when the panel sections are in expanded relation and forms a limit to such expansion and permits contractive movement of said panel sections, said panel member being adapted to have trousers positioned thereon in overlying relation with the waist at the end of greatest width and the trouser legs extending therefrom longitudinally of the panel, means for securing the waist portion and leg portions of the trousers adjacent respective ends of the panel member, the resilient means biasing said panel sections apart applying tension longitudinally of the trousers portions overlying said sections between the waist portion and the leg end to hold same smooth and unwrinkled.

3. A trouser display wherein trousers are in flat position presenting a side for view comprising, a flat elongate panel member of material capable of repeat penetration by pins and the like, said panel member having a waist end and a leg end with sides tapered substantially corresponding to the taper of trousers displayed thereon whereby the waist end of the panel member is the greatest width, said panel member consisting of flat substantially coplanar sections connected for relative longitudinal movement, means biasing the panel sections apart to apply tension to trouser portions overlying said sections between the waist portion and the leg end, said panel sections having guide member's cooperating to maintain the panel sections in substantially coplanar relation during relative movement thereof, said panel sections having adjacent ends, flexible means having end portions connected relative to the panel sections and adapted to span the spacing between adjacent ends of the panel sections to limit separating movement of said panel sections, a pair of trousers positioned on the panel member in overlying relation thereto with the edge of the trousers adjacent the waist end slightly overhanging the waist end of the panel member and the J crease edges of the legs overhanging the side edges of the panel section, said trousers extending longitudinally of the panel member with the leg portions turned under the leg end and pins extending through the trousers adjacent the waist end and penetrating the panel member and extending through the leg portions underlying the panel member adjacent the leg end to secure the trousers to the panel member at the waist and legs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 373,379 11/87 Rupprecht 22374 454,666 6/91 Rand 22374 642,728 2/00 Stevens 22377 1,014,304 1/12 Holtz 20650 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

3. A TROUSER DISPLAY WHEREIN TROUSERS ARE IN FLAT POSITION PRESENTING A SIDE FOR VIEW COMPRISING, A FLAT ELONGATE PANEL MEMBER OF MATERIAL CAPABLE OF REPEAT PENETRATION BY PINS AND THE LIKE, SAID PANEL MEMBER HAVING A WAIST END AND A LEG END WITH SIDES TAPERED SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE TAPER OF TROUSERS DISPLAYED THEREON WHEREBY THE WAIST END OF THE PANEL MEMBER IS THE GREATEST WIDTH, SAID PANEL MEMBER CONSISTING OF FLAT SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR SECTIONS CONNECTED FOR RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT, MEANS BIASING THE PANEL SECTIONS APART TO APPLY TENSION TO TROUSER PORTIONS OVERLYING SAID SECTIONS BETWEEN THE WAIST PORTION AND THE LEG END, SAID PANEL SECTIONS HAVING GUIDE MEMBERS COOPERATING TO MAINTAIN THE PANEL SECTIONS IN SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RELATION DURING RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREOF, SAID PANEL SECTIONS HAVING ADJACENT ENDS, FLEXIBLE MEANS HAVING END PORTIONS CONNECTED RELATIVE TO THE PANEL SECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO SPAN THE SPACING BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF THE PANEL SECTIONS TO LIMIT SEPARATING MOVEMENT OF SAID PANEL SECTIONS, A PAIR OF TROUSERS POSITIONED ON THE PANEL MEMBER IN OVERLYING RELATION THERETO WITH THE EDGE OF THE TROUSERS ADJACENT THE WAIST END SLIGHTLY OVERHANGING THE WAIST END OF THE PANEL MEMBER AND THE CREASE EDGES OF THE LEGS OVERHANGING THE SIDE EDGES OF THE PANEL SECTION, SAID TROUSERS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE PANEL MEMBER WITH THE LEG PORTIONS TURNED UNDER THE LEG END AND PINS EXTENDING THROUGH THE TROUSERS ADJACENT THE WAIST END AND PENETRATING THE PANEL MEMBER AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE LEG PORTIONS UNDERLYING THE PANEL MEMBER ADJACENT THE LEG END TO SECURE THE TROUSERS TO THE PANEL MEMBER AT THE WAIST AND LEGS. 